As Banyana Banyana march on to defend their coveted title at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025, former captain and iconic figure Amanda Dlamini has delivered a candid and hard-hitting critique of the support for women's football.
Her powerful insights reveal the ongoing struggles behind the triumphs, urging for sustained commitment beyond major tournaments. "At this rate, we may not see how much of an impact this team has had on women's football because we always water down their achievements," Dlamini told Showmax Premier League this week. "We're deliberately stifling the growth of women's football while boys' youth programmes and senior competitions keep getting the mileage and recognition.
It does feel like women's football is on its own." Dlamini's comments come as Banyana Banyana, the reigning WAFCON champions, prepare to face immense pressure to defend their title. "It's not easy playing with a target on your back," she acknowledged. "They still have the same group of players, but it's about how badly they want it.
It will be a first-time experience for them to feel the pressure of defending a title, and that too demands a different approach, attitude, and drive." The former captain also highlighted a persistent issue from her own playing days. "The challenge of not being prioritised and empty promises still lingers because we still treat this team like or as an afterthought." Banyana Banyana, under the astute guidance of Coach Desiree Ellis, kicked off their WAFCON 2025 campaign on 7 July, with a mouthwatering win against Ghana.
